LONDON — Ticket sales for the Bayeux tapestry exhibition at the British Museum began on a Wednesday morning, resulting in online queues that extended up to nine hours. By mid-afternoon, approximately 80,000 individuals had attempted to access the ticketing website, while an estimated 40,000 were present in the queue by mid-morning.

A message on the British Museum's ticketing website stated: "We're currently experiencing high levels of demand. Booking online is still recommended however wait times may extend up to nine hours." The initial ticket release covered entry slots for the exhibition from September to December.

The Bayeux tapestry is scheduled to be on loan to the United Kingdom from September 2026 until July 2027. This marks the first time the tapestry will be displayed in England since the 11th century.

Peak-time tickets for the exhibition are priced at £33, with off-peak adult tickets available for £27. Children under 16 years old are granted free admission. Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said, "The majority of tickets are off-peak, so they're less and all children under 16 will see it for free. We felt it was very important to make this something that all young people have access to."

The British Museum could generate more than £8.6 million from the exhibition, according to estimates. The Bayeux tapestry itself is approximately 70 meters long and depicts William the Conqueror's victory over King Harold II of England at Hastings in 1066. It is insured for £800 million for its display at the British Museum, covered under the Government Indemnity Scheme.

For its transport, the tapestry will utilize a specially designed container aimed at absorbing shocks and vibrations. Humidity levels will also be monitored during its transit. Two additional ticket releases for the exhibition are planned for October and January.